The final game of the homestand. Mark Buehrle faces Jake Peavy. Buehrle has an ERA of 4.43, Peavy's ERA is 4.50. The main pitchers in both bullpens were rested last night, except for Brett Cecil. Janssen, Santos, Loup, Uehara, Tazawa, etc. should all be ready to go.
After this game the Jays head to Tampa, New York and Houston. The Jays play a day/night doubleheader on Tuesday in New York. With Monday being an off-day the Jays could roll through their rotation but that would cause a problem on the Saturday when they would not have a rested starting pitcher. Baseball rules now allow teams to add a 26th player for a doubleheader, will the Jays recall a pitcher for Tuesday for the spot start?
Its Esmil Rogers, Thad Weber and Mickey Storey, with Brett Cecil as closer, taking on the Sawx tonight. How will that turn out? Rogers has been "off" for the past few starts and unless he finds his sinker in the back of his locker he might be in for a long night.
The Jays face John Lester and his 4.27 ERA. Lester has been up and down this season.
Todd Redmond is back to start. Thad Weber is back, maybe to start. Josh Johnson has gone on the DL. Will he pitch again for the Blue Jays?
The Jays pitching staff now includes Todd Redmond, Mickey Storey, Thad Weber and Brad Lincoln. Shades of 2012 anyone?
Gustavo Pierre hit for the cycle in Dunedin's 7-6 win. He doubled, tripled, singled and homered in that order. His home run came with Dunedin down by a run in the seventh inning and tied the score. Franklin Barreto hit two home runs for the GCL Jays. Both home runs were to the opposite field. Barreto is 17 years old. Barreto is impressive.
Justin Germano was outstanding in leading the Bisons. Kevin Pillar had three hits to come out of his slump. New Hampshire lost in extra innings. Lansing lost a walk off game despite a very good start from Matt Boyd. Vancouver lost in nine. Bluefield were rained out.
Mark Buehrle vs. Sonny Grey. The Jays try and recover from yesterday's stinker. It wasn't just a loss for the Jays, Juan Perez has gone on the 60 day DL with a torn UCL. Mickey Storey has been recalled from the Bisons to provide relief support. There is no word yet as to whether Esmil Rogers is still part of the rotation.
In other news Drew Hutchison was activated off the 60 day DL as his rehab assignment ends on Monday. He was immediately optioned to Buffalo.
With Esmil Rogers struggling the Jays might need a starting pitcher. Drew Hutchison did not pitch well for Buffalo, he did not have his good command and he was hit around some. Deck McGuire said "don't forget about me", he pitched 8 innings and had great support from the hitters. Dunedin were rained out. Vancouver won behind more excellent pitching from Tom Robson.
Lansing, Bluefield and the GCL Jays each blew leads in the ninth inning. Lansing came back to win thanks to a walk off home run from Kevin Patterson, Bluefield did not. The GCL Jays lost in the last inning, it was more than a blown save, it was a blown save that spiralled into a loss. Vancouver took a tied game to the ninth and lost. Daniel Norris pitched well for Lansing. The GCL Jays lost not one but a doubleheader.
The boys are back in town after a day off. Oakland are in town for four games including a Monday day game. Once Oakland leave town the Red Sox show up for the first of 10 straight games against the AL East.
The A's are in a mini slump, they have lost six of seven.